WOONSOCKET — Horizon Health Care is marking National Health Center Week 2013 (NHCW) with a patient-appreciation event Aug. 16, during regular office hours, at Whiting Memorial Community Health Center (CHC), including refreshments and a coloring contest for ages 2-12 and a photo contest for ages 13 and above.
This is part of a week-long campaign (Aug. 11-17) to raise awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s Health Centers as local solutions.
By providing access to affordable, high-quality health care regardless of insurance coverage or financial status, community health centers impact the health of patients and communities. This concept is emphasized in the week’s theme:  “Celebrating America’s Health Centers: Transforming Health Care in Our Local Communities”.
To embrace this year’s theme, Horizon is hosting a coloring and photo contest throughout the week. Children ages 2-12 can stop in to color a photo to be entered into the contest.
Children ages 13 and above will be able to submit their photos to jpierce@horizonhealthcare.org or drop off their photo at Whiting Memorial CHC throughout the week. Horizon requests that the photos fall within one of the following categories: local historic buildings, celebrating diversity, local points of interest or landscapes.
For more information on the coloring and photo contest, please stop by Whiting Memorial CHC, contact Jenna at 605-772-4525 or visit the Horizon Healthcare Inc. Facebook page.
Access to affordable primary care services offered at Whiting Memorial CHC and other community health centers across the state and nation can reduce health care costs and unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency room visits.
“Studies show when illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, asthma and depression are not managed or prevented, they account for a significant portion of the skyrocketing costs for families and the entire health care system,” said Whiting Memorial CHC provider Shelly Selland, CNP.
“America’s Community Health Centers, like Whiting Memorial Community Health Center, have been leaders in showing the value of this approach as an effective way to address more needs, improve health, and contain costs.”
Partnering with the community through a patient-majority governing board ensures Horizon’s services will meet the needs of the community effectively.
Horizon CEO John Mengenhausen said, “Horizon provides the primary care services that help patients get and stay healthy. The Board and staff are part of the community and want to help people improve their health and their life.
“Businesses benefit from local health care because workers have fewer sick days and don’t have to take extra time off to drive for an appointment. That also impacts the economy by keeping our dollars local.”
One of the bright spots in America’s health care system, health centers serve as a health care home to over 20 million people at 8,000 sites nationwide.
For over 35 years, Horizon Health Care, Inc. has been providing personalized, affordable, high-quality medical, dental and mental health care through a rural, community-based network in South Dakota. Horizon is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that serves the medical, dental and mental health care needs of South Dakotans in rural, medically underserved areas through 72,000 patient visits annually in 17 community health centers in: Bryant, DeSmet, Howard, Huron, Lake Preston, Martin, Mission, Plankinton, Springfield, Wessington Springs, White River and Woonsocket.
For more information please visit www.horizonhealthcare.org.